Home/Species library

Field reference

A working library of coastal-GA pests.

Fifteen species we see most often, with identification, signs, threat profile, and our typical treatment approach. Not a replacement for a site visit — useful for context before one.

01 · Termite

Eastern subterranean termite

Reticulitermes flavipes

Threat: The single biggest structural pest in coastal GA. Causes ~$5B in annual U.S. damage.
Signs: Mud tubes on foundation, swarming alates in early spring, hollow-sounding wood, frass piles.
Approach: Sentricon HD baiting network; liquid termiticide only at confirmed active colony.

02 · Termite

Formosan subterranean termite

Coptotermes formosanus

Threat: Larger and more aggressive than Eastern subterranean. Established in coastal GA since 2003.
Signs: Carton nests in walls or attics. Heavy swarmer flights in late spring.
Approach: Sentricon HD + active-colony liquid treatment. Heavier monitoring cadence than Eastern.

03 · Beetle

Furniture beetle

Anobium punctatum

Threat: Larvae bore galleries in seasoned hardwood furniture and structural timbers. Slow but cumulative.
Signs: Round exit holes (1.5–2mm), fine frass below affected wood, weak hardwood acoustic signature.
Approach: Thermal chamber (140°F · 1hr) or cold (-20°F · 72hr) for furniture; in situ chemistry rarely required.

04 · Beetle

Lyctid powderpost beetle

Lyctus brunneus

Threat: Attacks hardwoods with high starch content; pine and softwoods generally exempt.
Signs: Very fine flour-like frass, small (1mm) round exit holes.
Approach: Identification of source timber; thermal treatment; borate surface treatment for in-place architectural elements.

05 · Roach

German cockroach

Blattella germanica

Threat: Most significant residential and commercial kitchen pest. Allergen and asthma trigger.
Signs: Live activity behind appliances, fecal staining in corners, egg cases (oothecae).
Approach: Advion or Maxforce gel bait in identified harborage; sanitation guidance; never spray in food zones.

06 · Roach

American cockroach

Periplaneta americana

Threat: Large, fast-moving. Common in basements, crawlspaces, and around drains. Less of an allergen than German.
Signs: Sightings near plumbing penetrations, egg cases near baseboards, dead specimens near light fixtures.
Approach: Drain treatment, exclusion at plumbing penetrations, exterior perimeter baits.

07 · Ant

Argentine ant

Linepithema humile

Threat: Large supercolonies; mostly nuisance, can drive out beneficial native species.
Signs: Trails on counters and in walls; activity follows moisture.
Approach: Sequential liquid bait stations along trails; exterior perimeter bait granules; moisture correction.

08 · Ant

Carpenter ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Threat: Don't eat wood; tunnel galleries in damp wood for nesting. Damage is structural over years.
Signs: Frass piles (looks like sawdust with insect parts), worker activity at night, rustling sound in walls.
Approach: Locate the parent colony (often in a dead tree near the structure); targeted dust treatment; address moisture.

09 · Rodent

Roof rat

Rattus rattus

Threat: Dominant rat species in coastal GA. Climbs well; uses tree limbs and utility lines to enter attics.
Signs: Droppings in attics, gnaw marks on plastic and lumber, scratching sound at night.
Approach: Exclusion first (roof and utility penetrations); snap-traps in interior; locked anti-coagulant stations exterior.

10 · Rodent

House mouse

Mus musculus

Threat: Commensal rodent. Smaller territory than rats; can enter through 1/4-inch openings.
Signs: Droppings, urine staining, nests in insulation, chewed packaging.
Approach: Exclusion of penetrations; multi-catch traps in protected areas; minimal rodenticide in residential.

11 · Mosquito

Asian tiger mosquito

Aedes albopictus

Threat: Aggressive daytime biter. Vector for Zika, dengue, chikungunya. Container breeder.
Signs: Daytime bites in shaded yards, larvae in container water (gutters, planters, tarps).
Approach: Source reduction (eliminate container water); In2Care lure stations; barrier treatment only at high pressure.

12 · Tick

Lone star tick

Amblyomma americanum

Threat: Aggressive human biter. Vector for ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, alpha-gal allergy.
Signs: Spring/summer adult activity; nymphs in leaf litter. Drag survey for confirmation.
Approach: Yard sanitation (leaf litter, brush); host modification; targeted perimeter only at confirmed pressure.

13 · Bedbug

Common bed bug

Cimex lectularius

Threat: Hospitality and residential — fast-spreading, hard to eliminate once established.
Signs: Fecal staining on mattress seams, cast skins, live insects in seams. Canine inspection 95%+ accuracy.
Approach: Heat treatment (135°F · 4+ hours room) or targeted IGR with mechanical exclusion. No DIY foggers.

14 · Hospitality

Stored product moth

Plodia interpunctella

Threat: Indian meal moth — dry-good kitchen and pantry pest. Common in restaurants and hotel mini-bars.
Signs: Webbing in dry goods, larvae in flour or grain bins, adult moths near light fixtures.
Approach: Source elimination (dispose of infested product); pheromone monitoring; sanitation guidance.

15 · Hospitality

Cigarette beetle

Lasioderma serricorne

Threat: Dry-good pest of spices, dry herbs, tobacco, dried botanicals. Hospitality kitchen common.
Signs: Small (2-3mm) reddish-brown beetles near pantry lights. Pheromone trap detection accurate.
Approach: Source identification (often a single bag of spice); replacement; pheromone monitoring grid.

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